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Gastroenteritis in Pets

3 Tips for Preventing Gastroenteritis

Reduce your pet's chances of developing gastroenteritis with these three tips.

Eliminate Temptation

Although it's impossible to eliminate every item that could tempt your pet, putting food, your kid's toys, cleaning products, and other items in closed storage areas can reduce the chance that your pet will get into something they shouldn’t. Some pets are very skilled at opening closed cabinet doors. If you have a furry Houdini, buy a few cabinet locks to keep stored items safe.

Discourage Garbage Eating

Eating spoiled food is one way your pet can become ill. Remove trash from your home promptly. If your dog or cat can't resist a little trash foraging, take out the trash after every meal. Outdoors, use trash cans with lids that stay on even if the can is knocked over.

Don't Go Raw

Raw food may seem like the natural choice for a carnivore, but feeding raw or undercooked foods increases the risk that your pet will develop a bacterial infection. If you don't want to feed your pet commercially made foods, cook meat thoroughly before you give it to your pet.

Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice any of the signs of gastroenteritis.

What Causes Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis can occur if your pet eats something it should not, such as garbage, non-food items or feces. Although giving your pet a few scraps from the dinner table may seem harmless, eating people food can cause gastroenteritis. Unfortunately, some foods that you enjoy can irritate your pet's gastrointestinal system. Other causes of gastroenteritis include:

Bacterial or parasitic infections

Viruses

Allergies

Metabolic disorders

Reaction to a medication

Eosinophilic leukemia

Inflammatory bowel disease

What Happens if My Pet Becomes Dehydrated?

Dehydration occurs when your pet loses fluids faster than it can replace them. Your pet also loses electrolytes in addition to fluids. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that regulate blood acidity, nerve and muscle function, and the body's hydration level. If dehydration is not treated promptly, it can lead to kidney failure and even death. These symptoms may occur if your pet is dehydrated:

Sunken eyes

Dry mouth and nose

Fatigue

Depression

Loss of appetite

Increased thirst

Decreased urine production

Elevated heart rate

Panting

Changes in skin elasticity (When you lift you pet's skin and let it go, it should quickly revert to its original position. If your pet is dehydrated, the skin will return to the original position very slowly.)

How Will My Veterinarian Diagnose Gastroenteritis?

Your veterinarian will perform a complete examination, which will probably include a few diagnostic tests, including fecal testing for parasites. A blood test may be ordered to determine if your pet's blood cells are normal and to check for signs of problems with your pet's organs. X-rays and ultrasounds can give your pet's doctor a better view of the gastrointestinal system. If you furry friend has swallowed a non-food item, the outline of the item will probably appear in the X-rays.

During the visit, you may be asked if there were any changes to your pet's normal routine, such as travel or recent changes in food. Your pet's veterinarian may also want to know if your dog or cat was exposed to pesticides or cleaning products, or recently began taking a new medication or supplement. Because the cause of gastroenteritis isn't always immediately apparent, any information you can provide will help the veterinarian make a diagnosis.

How is Gastroenteritis Treated?

Replacing lost fluid is a priority if your pet has gastroenteritis. Your veterinarian may recommend that your pet receive subcutaneous (under the skin) or intravenous fluids during your visit. Additional treatment will depend on the cause of the vomiting and diarrhea. For example, antibiotics can help treat bacterial infections, while surgery may be needed if a foreign body is stuck in your pet's gastrointestinal tract.

Whether you are concerned that your pet may have gastroenteritis or another illness, or it's time for your pet's annual examination, we're committed to helping you maintain your furry friend's health. Call us if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Donegal Animal Hospital was established in 1989 and was purchased by Dr. McGrath in 1993. Since then, our hospital moved to a new location and has grown to a staff of 17, including 4 doctors. Dr. Albright became an associate veterinarian in 2005; Dr. Dill joined our practice in 2011, and purchased the hospital in 2017. Dr. Myer joined our team in 2016, she earned her DVM from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine Read More